OVERWORKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 13

OVERWORKED.

BISHOP NEEDS ASSISTANCE. PRINCIPLE OF SUFFRAGAN BISHOPS. The necessity for the provision ot assistance for the Bishop of Auckland was stressed at yesterday's session of the Diocesan when three resolutions were introduced by Archdeacon Mac Murray. After a discussion the resolutions were carried vnanimously. The first drew the attention of Church people to the urgent need for relief, sincr the diocese extended from North Cape to the south of Taranaki. The second resolution expressed the Synod's opinion that the ultimate solution of the difficulty must be the creation of at least one new diocese, either in the Waikato or in Taranaki. By the third resolution, it was decided that, sinoe immediate relief was absolutely necessary, Auckland representatives* should take steps in General Synod with a view to passing legislation which would authorise the principle of appointing assistant bishops. Archdeicon Mac Murray said Taranaki and Waikato should both be divided, each having its own bishop. The present diocese was far too unwieldy. However, this did not seem possible at the moment, although, old as he was, the speaker hoped to see it come to pass. There was no question that the appointment of an assistant bishop would lead to better conduct of the,Chureh's work. As the see grew larger it became increasingly important that the Bishop of Auckland should be present at his seat on more frequent occasions, said Mr. C. J. Tunks. He was one of the most important citizens in the community, and he should be free to exert his influence in civic life. Reference to the heavy demands made upon the time of the bishop by the Maori section of the diocese was made by Archdeacon Hawkins. The speaker had travelled on horse-back every day for three months, sleeping in a different whare each night. The appeal should be that Auckland required a missionary bishop. Archdeacon Hawkina thought the measure should be introduced to General Synod as an application for an assistant bishop. Auckland representatives should go to General Synod armed with a bill. A bishop was wanted at onee —not threeyears hence.- He did not think it possible to get a bishop to-day without a fund of £30.000 to £40,000. On a conservative estimate the sum of £750 per annum would have to be found. Chorus: Oh, more! Much more! Bishop Averill said the right and proper thing would.be a separate diocese. He was not enamoured of the principle of assistant bishops, but if it meant that the establishment of a new diocese would bo brought any nearer, he thought it would be a very good thing to obtain the approval of General Synod. They should look upon it as a means to an end. Some members of the Church of the Province thought that Auckland was out to get everything for itself. This idea should not be encouraged. (Laughter.) In urging that the Waikato be divided as a separate diocese, Canon Haseldene said he was prepared to go on the road and collect money for the purpose. Failing a. new diocese, a suffragan bishop should be appointed as soon as possible. "Let us get rid of this ridiculous idea that we cannot have a bishop unless we have £30,000!" said the Rev. H. T. Steele (Whangarei). The real office of a bishop was being lost sight of by so much talk about finance. A bishop .was one- with full apostolic power committed to him by God. He was a father in God. Church people should not lose sight cf this. Mr. Steele advocated the consecration of a man who j would go out and do the work irrespective of financial interests. He did not ! need a palace. Thank God they did not have bishops' palaces in New Zealand! Nor did a bishop cat more than a priest. The sum of £750 per annum should be sufficient. "Let a young man be consecrated and go forth to work in apostolic simplicity," was Mr. Steele's advice.